Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Review -- Wicked Intentions

Elizabeth Hoyt is one of those rare authors that became an autobuy for me with her very first book. And even rarer still, every book she has had published since has joined her debut on my keeper shelf. Wicked Intentions, the first in her new Maiden Lane series, is no exception. She proves once again why her star will be shining bright for a very long time.

On her way home from rescuing an orphaned baby from the streets of St. Giles, Temperance Dews and her maidservant stumble upon a mysterious man with silver hair leaning over a presumably dead body. Little does Temperance know that the gentleman is none other than the notorious Lord Caire. Later, she is surprised to find him in her sitting room at the foundling home where she lives. Even more unexpected is his offer of a proposition—he has need of her familiarity with the bowels of St. Giles to find the person responsible for killing his former mistress while she needs help to find a new patron for the Home of Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children that was established by her father and is now run by her and her youngest brother. The selfless Temperance agrees to Lord Caire’s suggestion for the sake of the children. Though she may get more than she bargained for.

Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is widely known as a cold, isolated man with unusual sexual perversions, though lesser known is his acute aversion to anyone’s touch upon his body. He feels no regrets in using Temperance’s self-sacrificing mind-set to further his agenda. He’s looked for the murderer for two months and hasn’t gotten anywhere. With Temperance’s help he finally starts getting some answers, though they aren’t without a heavy price. During their search, Caire and Temperance must tackle not only the sordid inhabitants in the seediest part of London, but also their own personal demons if they’ll ever have a chance at love.

I love this book and Elizabeth Hoyt’s writing for several reasons. First, she creates some of the most complex and fascinating characters I’ve had the pleasure to read. Caire and Temperance are unique and enigmatic individuals, filled with dark secrets, and Hoyt takes her time peeling back their many layers. She feeds you information a little at a time to make you crave more—and I didn’t want to put the book down until all their secrets were revealed. Secondly, I love that she doesn’t sugar coat the setting or descriptions. They are so detailed and realistic that I could swear I could see the dirt and grime and smell the fetid streets of St. Giles. And third, she writes really beautiful lines. Here is an example of Caire’s thoughts and feelings with regards to Temperance:

He felt her tremble against him, a hare within the hawk’s grasp. She was so proper on the surface, but he knew, in a part of him beyond mind and spirit, that she had carnal depths that she struggled to hide. He wanted to explore those depths. Bring them to the light of day and revel in them. They were as much a part of her as the gold flecks in her eyes, and he longed to feast upon her cravings.

And this exchange between Caire and Temperance:

“Why me?”

“Because,” he murmured, “you draw me. Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet. Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don’t let go of it even as it gnaws at your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine.”

There are several other story threads that are told but not concluded in this book and I can only assume that Ms. Hoyt will eventually tie up those loose ends later in the series, much like she did in her previous series. If you’re looking for a spicy, intelligent historical romance, look no further that Wicked Intentions. For me, all it takes is having Elizabeth Hoyt’s name on the book and I’ll buy it. The next book in the series, Notorious Pleasures, releases in February 2011 and can’t come soon enough for me!

To spread my love of Elizabeth's books, I'm giving away a copy of To Taste Temptation, the first book in her Legend of the Four Soldiers series, plus some goodies I picked up at RWA to one lucky commenter!

52 comments:

Hi!I've never read a book by Elizabeth Hoyt, but I'm willing to "spread the love" and give it a shot! (That doesn't sound quite right in the same sentence, unless it's a shotgun wedding, LOL!)Thanks for passing on the book/s info, as I'd never hear of these authors if it weren't for author blogs!

Good review, Andrea. I like E. Hoyt's books, but was reluctant to read them after The Raven Prince because I was a little shocked at some of the language and explicit writing. But, then her writing became better for me (she seemed to realize she didn't need shock factor). I still have to pick up WI, but it is on my TBB list.

Wow, I got chills just reading the blurb. Elizabeth Hoyt is an auto buy for me but again, this one snuck up on me. I have got to keep better lists, too many are getting away from me. What would I do without The Dishes to keep me up to date?

You know I heard about Elizabeth Hoyt's books before, but I have never tried any. Don't know why cause I like historicals... This one seems really great, intriguing characters and a very different setting. Promising, love the cover as well. Perhaps an excellent choice to start with.

Definitely 5 star worthy. 'Wicked Intentions' was my most anticipated book this year. I was literally counting down the days to release!

I agree with all your points on Hoyt's writing. She has a way with language that is both easy & enchanting.

I really loved Lazarus. He is my kind of hero...sexy, intellectual, mysterious, sarcastic yet vulnerable with a touch of bad boy. But what I loved most was that he did not remain a tortured hero, when he found Temperance and saw an opportunity for love & happiness he wanted it. No games. So novel and just *sigh*...=)

A great review for a great book, Andrea! Hoyt has been an autobuy for me since The Raven Prince even though she writes hotter and darker than most of my never-miss authors. It's all about character for me, and I am endlessly fascinated with her flawed characters. I loved WI, and I'm so pleased that we will get Winter's story eventually.

Janga said: It's all about character for me, and I am endlessly fascinated with her flawed characters. I loved WI, and I'm so pleased that we will get Winter's story eventually.

Yes! I love that she's not afraid to create flawed and/or unusual characters and is brilliant at making them completely likeable. As for Winter's story, I can't wait to see what EH has in store for him. Should be interesting!!

I ditto your review & rating -- loved Wicked Intentions. I enjoyed how Caire was slowly revealed and the h/h both grew & learned about themselves & each other and healed together. Can't wait for the next one to see what else is in store for these characters.

My favorite book I've read this summer--and I've read a lot of great books this summer, but this one surpasses them all by legions. I was absolutely breathless throughout the story. I cannot wait to read the rest in this series.

Wonderful review, Andrea! Hoyt has been an autobuy for me ever since I read The Raven Prince. I await each of her new releases with baited breath. I loved Wicked Intentions! It's very different from anything I've read lately. Can't wait for the rest of the books in the series.

I've never read ELizabeth Hoyt. I'm adding her to my list of 'pick ups' for my next book shopping trip. LOL I love visiting this blog! It's like 'pre-shopping'!! :) With a list of must-haves my time is stream-lined so the hubby man has no room for complaints. LOL

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